Updates

Beginning in 2016, U.S. Customs and Border Protection has new procedures in place for for Canadian vessels visiting the United States. Canadian vessels are no longer required to purchase a U.S. Customs user fee decal. Instead, they must purchase a cruising license. Cruising licenses are valid for one year. Here is the press release from U.S.…

Over the 30 years, we have been cruising in the Pacific Northwest, many of our special memories come from our winter cruises. They include waking up in Port Madison with a dusting of snow covering the boat, watching the mist roll out of Port Ludlow, and the most incredible sunset while docked at Deer Harbor.…

Captain’s Nautical Supplies has had a number of locations since their founding in 1897. They recently moved to 1120 Ballard Way and are celebrating the move with a new store celebration on Saturday, February 20th from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. There will be many special offers for this event including a raffle for Weems…

For years, our readers have been asking us to give them the choice of the traditional or spiral bound Waggoner Cruising Guide. Why? The spiral bound book lays flat and makes for easier use at the helm or chart table. Some stores like the Wooden Boat Chandlery in Port Townsend only sell spiral bound…

Our good friends at Captain’s Nautical Supplies have relocated the business to 1120 NW Ballard Way in Seattle. The store located in a historic building fits the 119-year-old heritage of Captain’s Nautical Supplies―the go-to map and book dealer for Pacific Northwest mariners. Jim Wheat, the new owner (for about the last 14 months), uses…

You’ve been in a beautiful bay for a few days, and it’s time to move on. You push the starter button, and the engine does not crank. Now, what? It might very well be on the top of the list of fears of boaters. Mind you, this is probably not on the level of sinking…

Many of us dream about our next boat. Dave and Eddylee Scott have been dreaming and fulfilling dreams for other boaters for years. They have spent the last 30 years cruising to Northern B.C., SE Alaska, and Vancouver Island in a custom Delta 37, a 42’ Grand Banks, an American Tug 34 and an American…

We had just finished a photo shoot on the water near Guemes Island for the new SeaSport Commander 2800. The boat looked great running by at 30+ knots. My fingers were still stiff from the cold encountered while shooting from the flybridge in the January air. We brought both boats back to the Cap Sante…

One of the joys of being part of the Waggoner Cruising Guide team is exploring coastal communities. This weekend I day tripped to Langley, Washington and stopped by The Clyde Theatre. The theatre, built by Norman and Hazel Clyde in 1937, is easy to find. From the docks at South Whidbey Harbor follow Wharf St. and take the…

We love cruising in the San Juan Islands, and one of those reasons is all the great places to eat. The Bluff Restaurant at Friday Harbor House has an outside terrace and a dining room with panoramic views of Friday Harbor. They serve Northwest inspired cuisine and have an extensive selection of Washington wines and beers, as well as, classic cocktails. The…

The beginning of the year is always a time to reflect on the past year and plan for the next. At the Waggoner Cruising Guide, we are already planning the boating season with a short list of New Year’s resolutions. Mark’s List: Spend more time boating in the late winter and early spring. (The sun…

It was a sunny, windy day on the Strait of Georgia when the channel went silent after a distress radio call went out on VHF 16. “Coast Guard, Coast Guard! I need help! “ The Canadian Coast Guard radio operator responded promptly, “Ma’am, could you tell me the name of your vessel and the nature…